When it comes to kitchen design and kitchen layouts, no matter how much you spend on upgrades and high end materials, if it is not properly laid out, you will get that investment back when it comes time to sell. In no other room is the phrase "form follows function" more appropriate than in the kitchen. By contrast, if you have a kitchen that not only looks good, but is also allows for proper traffic flow and adequate work space, it will not only benefit you in your daily activities but it will also translate to the bottom line when it comes time to sell.

Potential home buyers are looking for kitchens that provide a roomy work space and that are open to the rest of the home, since kitchens tend to be the most used room in a house. Even when you have guests over, often everyone gathers in the kitchen.

So, in kitchen designs you need a space that not only looks good, but allows you to accomplish your various cooking tasks as well. As any kitchen designer will tell you, it is important to factor in the "work triangle" into your kitchen layout. In this design idea, the three most used spots in your kitchen, the refrigerator, the stove and the sink are all within just a couple of steps of each other and laid out to form a triangular workflow area. If you're in the process of having your kitchen renovated or having a new house constructed, consider the impact kitchen designs can have on this space. Improperly laid out kitchens can lead to traffic flow problems and potentially dangerous accidents when moving hot food or pans.

Most interior designers or kitchen cabinet companies will have software programs that will help you visualize the kitchen of your dreams, but you can also do it on your own. There are inexpensive programs on the market that the average homeowner can buy to help layout their kitchen and the other rooms in their house. With the increase in homeowner's that are taking on the remodeling projects themselves, these software programs have become more and more popular.

If you don't feel comfortable taking on a task like this alone, there are plenty of kitchen design companies that will help you, but they are not cheap. Be prepared to increase your budget if you are going to get help from a designer.

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